Report: Pioneer ending production of plasma panels

Pioneer plans to let someone else make its plasma TV panels, according to several reports.

Reuters reported Tuesday that the company will cease production of its own plasma panels because that portion of its business continues to lose money. The company will still sell plasma sets, but plans to get its plasma panels from Matsushita, parent company of Panasonic, the Nikkei business daily reported. Panasonic is the biggest plasma TV vendor in the world, shipping nearly 40 percent of all plasma displays, while Pioneer ranks fifth, shipping just over 6 percent of plasmas worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to DisplaySearch.

(Credit: Pioneer)

So far, Pioneer isn't confirming or denying the reports ("Our headquarters are planning to publicly discuss our TV strategy at the end of this week, so we'll have no information until then," said a spokesperson), but it doesn't look good.

As CNET colleague and resident TV expert David Katzmaier put it, this news amounts to "a black day for black levels."

Pioneer has been repositioning its plasma business over the last few years as a premium brand, most recently pushing its "Kuro" technology, which emphasizes deep black levels and contrast, at CES 2007 and 2008. CNET Reviews ranked the 50-inch plasma from Pioneer as "the best it's ever tested" last year.

Though it appears Pioneer will continue to sell plasmas sets, if it's not making the panels, it seems unlikely that it will prolong the life of its Kuro technology. Pioneer is, however, already planning to buy liquid crystal display panels from Sharp in order to start selling LCD TVs. LCD sets have quickly become the fastest-growing TV technology, displacing traditional cathode-ray tube sets, as well as rear-projection and plasma.

[robd11]

The Best Plasmas

I just bought the 5080 and it and its 1080p brothers are clearly the cream of the crop. Best images, best black, they even look the best when turned off. But I am probably in that 5% of the market that wants the best and can afford the best. Most folks want a 'deal' and can live with not quite the best for $500 to $1000 less. The Panasonics are pretty good themselves, so it's not a big deal really. And let's face it, in 2 yrs LCD will be better than plasma.

[RJ59]

Too, too bad

After much comparison shopping vs LCD as well, we chose a PDP-5080HD plasma from Pioneer last December. The reviewers didn't lie, the picture quality on this display is fantastic. I still find myself feeling amazed looking at it. I know it costs a little more, but like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. And it would be a real shame to see quality like this sacrificed on the alter of the bottom line. If this should come to pass, my advice would be to grab one, while you still can.

[aelrise]

Pioneer the Best Plasma's out there!

I just bought a 50" Elite Pro-1150HD and it's the best. I traded in my Panasonic Professional model and love the Pioneer. I would grab one now before there all gone, you still get two years warranty no worries. Remember you get what you pay for and this is the best plasma out there.

[Sparkito]

Any Idea when Pioneer will announce their 2008 line of Plasmas?

Any Idea when Pioneer will announce their 2008 line of Plasmas?